THE Garda and the Army have introduced new security measures near Dublin and on the Border in response to the threat of an end to the loyalist ceasefire.
Yesterday fewer than 10 soldiers were involved in the armed checkpoints which the Garda set up in north and west Dublin.
However, it is the first time soldiers have been used for such an operation in the city. The Army has previously responded to Garda requests for help with checkpoints after specific events such as bank robberies, but yesterday troops were deployed for routine security duties with the Garda.
Sources indicated that the measures were not a response to a specific threat, but it was hoped the publicising of the mobile checkpoints on the main routes into the city would have a deterrent effect.
Hoax bomb threats have been made to a number of businesses in the city over the past week.
Meanwhile the Air Corps Alouette helicopter which had been used by the Garda to combat crime in the State has been returned to Monaghan military barracks and will resume patrols over Border areas.
The helicopter was being used in Operation Shannon, aimed at reducing - attacks on elderly - people living in rural areas in the west.
The Garda's Emergency Response Unit and Special Branch detectives involved in the operation are also on patrol in Dublin.
Meanwhile, a man who had been detained at Santry Garda station in connection with the discovery of detonators in a car near Dublin Airport on Monday has been released without charge.
The US made "blasting caps" a device associated with the IRA rather than loyalist paramilitaries were found behind panelling in a rental car, which was being cleaned before being hired out to a new customer.
The Garda said a file on the case was being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.